Manna or The Master?

Proverbs 18.10,11 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

There are two sources of confidence here. The Name of The Lord and the rich man’s wealth. One places faith in God. The other places faith in money. Jesus said of the rich young ruler, children, “how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Jesus also said, “you cannot serve God and mammon”. Riches are not sinful, but riches and wealth can give a person a false sense of security. Riches can also be the cause of pride and self-righteousness. Jesus Christ put His finger on the rich young ruler’s central problem: a covetous heart.

Our hope must be in God alone, beloved. The opposite of covetousness is contentment. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In a dog-eat-dog world of greed, may followers of Jesus treasure Jesus Christ above all things. Jesus, not money, is the pearl of great price. Jesus, not money provides all of our need. Never substitute the eternal security that we have in Christ Jesus, for the riches of this crumbling and crashing fallen world system.